YOLA

What YOLA does

YOLA Education Joint Stock Company (Công Ty Cổ Phần Giáo Dục YOLA) is a private English-language education provider headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, founded in 2009 and operating 12+ physical learning centers across HCMC districts (1, 2, 7, 9, 10, Phú Nhuận, Bình Thạnh, Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức, Tân Bình, Tân Phú, Bình Tân). The company runs an age-segmented curriculum pipeline spanning preschool (Pre-Explorer age 4, Explorer age 5), primary (ages 6-10 with 100% foreign teachers preparing for Cambridge Flyers), secondary (ages 11-14 targeting IELTS 5.5+), and intensive exam preparation (IELTS bands 2.5 to 7.0+, Digital SAT, plus IELTS Speaking/Writing crash courses). The platform layers a Cambridge-aligned curriculum on a hybrid O2O (Online-to-Offline) model, combining classroom instruction with a home-practice application featuring games, flashcards, conversation exercises, and pronunciation recording.

All teaching staff are reportedly internationally certified and drawn from the top 3% of the market; management includes alumni of Stanford, Victoria University of Wellington, Harvard, and other global institutions. The company claims cumulative outcomes of 68,000+ students reaching world-university entrance scores, 16,000+ IELTS 6.0+ achievers (5,878 at IELTS 7.0+), and 2,000+ billion VND in scholarships from top-100 global universities, with a stated 90% Cambridge-exam pass rate. YOLA has raised approximately $14.9M in disclosed private capital from Mekong Capital (2016, $4.9M) and Kaizenvest (2019, $10M), and has not disclosed a primary funding event since.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring course tuition across the multi-year student progression, supplemented by seasonal summer programs (with up to 32% early-bird scholarships), one-on-one Digital SAT tutoring, study-abroad consulting, and free online level assessments used as the top-of-funnel conversion mechanism. Go-to-market combines physical-center enrollment, website/hotline consultation, school partnerships (workshops at THPT Bùi Thị Xuân, THPT Chuyên Lê Hồng Phong, THPT Trần Đại Nghĩa), and content marketing across Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Pricing is quote-based via consultation following a free placement test, with no public rate card.

Name

YOLA

Legal name

YOLA Education Joint Stock Company (Công Ty Cổ Phần Giáo Dục YOLA)

Website

https://yola.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

YOLA is a private Ho Chi Minh City-based English-language education provider operating 12+ physical learning centers, serving Vietnamese learners from preschool through pre-university with Cambridge-aligned curricula, IELTS and Digital SAT preparation, and study-abroad consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language Education

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Kids & Teens Language Enrichment Programs (EDAMAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live Online Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAD), Young Learners ESL/EFL Materials (Pre-K–Primary) (EDAGAHAF), Foreign Language Subject Tutoring (School Coursework) (EDANAAAF)

Keywords

• English language training
• IELTS test preparation
• SAT test preparation
• Cambridge curriculum education
• Preschool English programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ho Chi Minh City

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Academic English Courses: Tuition fees from structured English language courses across multiple levels: preschool (Pre-Explorer, Explorer), primary (Primary Entry, A, B, C), secondary (Secondary Entry, A, B, C), and advanced IELTS/SAT preparation courses. Revenue generated through course registration and ongoing tuition payments.
2. Test Preparation Courses: Specialized IELTS and SAT preparation courses offered in both in-person classroom and online formats. Revenue from registration fees and course materials.
3. Summer Programs: Seasonal intensive summer English programs for children and teenagers with scholarship opportunities. Revenue from program fees with early registration discounts up to 32%.
4. Study Abroad Services: Educational consulting and preparation services for students planning to study abroad.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YOLA delivers structured English language education programs for Vietnamese learners from preschool through pre-university age, spanning four product tracks: Tiếng Anh Mẫu Giáo (preschool), Tiếng Anh Thiếu Nhi (children), Tiếng Anh Thiếu Niên (teens), and IELTS/SAT exam preparation. Courses are delivered both in-person across 12+ physical learning centers in Ho Chi Minh City and online, anchored on a Cambridge University Press-aligned curriculum and a hybrid O2O learning model supplemented by a home practice application. Additional offerings include seasonal summer English camps, a study abroad advisory service, and a free online proficiency level test.

Product overview

YOLA is an educational organization offering a comprehensive English language learning ecosystem spanning preschool (ages 3-5), children's English (ages 6-10), teen English (ages 11-14), and exam preparation programs including IELTS and Digital SAT. The product portfolio includes in-class courses, online IELTS programs, summer camps featuring AI and nature themes, study abroad services, and free level testing. The company operates 12+ learning centers across Ho Chi Minh City with a teaching staff selected from the top 3% of the market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tiếng Anh Mẫu Giáo (Preschool English) International preschool program combining English with Technology, Science, Creative Design, and Entrepreneurial Skills for children ages 3-5, with Pre-Explorer (age 4) and Explorer (age 5) levels.
• Tiếng Anh Thiếu Nhi (Children's English) English program for children ages 6-10 with 100% foreign teachers, learning through experience and projects; prepares students for Cambridge Flyers certification across Primary Entry, A, B, and C levels.
• Tiếng Anh Thiếu Niên (Teen English) Academic English program developing critical thinking, presentation skills, and project-based learning for ages 11-14 across Secondary Entry through Secondary C levels, with IELTS 5.5+ as a target outcome.
• IELTS Tại Lớp (In-Class IELTS Preparation) In-person IELTS preparation courses with levels from Pre-IELTS (EFL 2.5-4.5) to IELTS Advanced 7.0+, plus intensive Speaking and Writing crash courses.
• IELTS Online Online IELTS preparation program with Pre-IELTS Online levels and IELTS Online Foundation (4.5-5.0), targeting students who prefer remote learning.
• Digital SAT Preparation Digital SAT preparation with three levels: Basic (Cơ Bản), Advanced (Nâng Cao), and 1-1 personalized tutoring.
• YOLA Summer (Tiếng Anh Hè) Seasonal summer English camp program combining business English with AI technology and nature exploration for children ages 6-14, featuring the 'Future Leaders' theme.
• Du Học (Study Abroad Advisory) Educational consulting and preparation services helping students with university applications and scholarship opportunities for study abroad.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of students achieve expected Cambridge exam scores
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Apollo English (Apollo Education Vietnam): Vietnamese English training center chain with multi-level programs for children and teens, plus IELTS preparation. Overlaps with YOLA on age-targeted English curricula, Cambridge-style outcomes, and physical-center delivery in HCMC.
• ACET Vietnam (Australian Centre for Education and Training): Australian-affiliated English language and IELTS preparation center in Vietnam with in-class and pathway-to-university programs. Comparable to YOLA in serving Vietnamese test-prep students aiming for overseas study with international-standard curricula.
• Language Link Vietnam: Private English training provider in Vietnam delivering courses across age groups, including corporate training. Overlaps with YOLA on children's English, teen English, and adult test preparation in the Vietnamese market.
• VUS (Vietnam USA Society English Centers): Vietnam's largest private English language center chain, operating multiple campuses across HCMC and other cities. Directly comparable to YOLA in offering tiered English programs from young learners through IELTS preparation for the same Vietnamese parent and student base.
• ILA Vietnam: A leading private English language center in Vietnam with physical campuses across multiple cities, offering international-standard curricula for children, teens, and adults including test prep. Operates in the same Vietnamese premium-English segment as YOLA.

Emerging players

• English Kids Vietnam (EKV): Vietnamese children's English language center chain with multi-center presence and age-tiered curricula. Comparable to YOLA's preschool and primary offerings, but with a narrower age band and a smaller physical footprint.
• Cleverly (Kids Online English) / HỌC247: Emerging online English learning platforms active in Vietnam targeting kids and teens via remote classes. Comparable to YOLA's online IELTS and Cambridge-aligned kids programs but with a digital-native delivery model and lower-cost positioning.

Broad incumbents

• IDP Education (IELTS Vietnam): One of the co-owners of IELTS and a major international student placement provider with operations in Vietnam. Directly comparable to YOLA's IELTS prep product line and study-abroad advisory services, but with global brand recognition and the IELTS administration franchise itself.
• British Council Vietnam: Global UK cultural organization delivering English courses and IELTS test administration in Vietnam. Comparable to YOLA in delivering academic English and IELTS preparation, but operates as a global incumbent with broader services (tests, cultural programming) rather than a niche center chain.
• Wall Street English Vietnam: International adult-focused English franchise active in Vietnam with blended online + in-person delivery. Comparable to YOLA's hybrid O2O model and adult/teen tier, but oriented toward adult learners and globally branded.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@YOLA_DanloiNhanTai
• Facebookfacebook.com/YOLAEducation
• TikToktiktok.com/@yolaenglish

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YOLA